SAINTS have this afternoon signed Eastleigh defender Aaron Martin.

The 20-year-old former Itchen College student has joined on an initial 18-month contract.

Martin played 90 minutes in Saints reserves' 1-1 draw with Plymouth last month, after being recommended to Alan Pardew by Spitfires manager Ian Baird.

"I'd been playing at Eastleigh, and Bairdy rang Alan Pardew just to see if I could come down for a couple of weeks on trial to see what I was about," said Martin.

"Fortunately he and the staff liked what they saw of me.

"Ian Baird was extremely happy for me and I'd like to thank him because this would never have happened otherwise.

"Alan Pardew has been brilliant with me too, he's already told me what I need to improve on and I want to improve on everything.

"He watched me at a reserve game and talked me through my game then, what I'd done well and what I need to do more of.

"I've always liked Saints and I watched the team at the Dell.

"I always used to go up to Staplewood as well to watch reserve games.

"I've been saying to my dad that it's weird how we used to come and watch the team here a few years ago, and now I'm going to be playing for them.

"Everything about the whole club is just brilliant and coming from non-league to this is just amazing.

"It's a massive step, but I'm hoping that I can prove myself, hopefully get into the first team and push on from there.

"I want to get into the first team as soon as I can and I will play and train as hard as I can to do that.

"It would be unbelievable to play at St Mary's and I just can't wait for that to come.

"I knew a few of the lads from before, and I know Jamie White quite well so it'll be good to see him.

"I want to say a massive thank you to Alan Pardew for giving me this opportunity and I hope to play a part and progress into the first team."